Tale of the Tape: Sporting Kansas City vs. D.C. United

In boxing, the tale of the tape is the pre-fight measurement between the two combatants. In 2013, we'll tell the tale of the tape between D.C. United and its foe of the week.

Immediate Impact

Young Designated Player Rafael, 20, went into the D.C. United record books with his game-tying rocket of a goal from 35+ yards out in the 3/23 loss vs. Columbus. Tallying 22 minutes into his inaugural MLS start, Rafael’s strike was the second-quickest goal in club history in a debut start. Only Jaime Moreno notched a faster goal in his first League start when he put the ball in the back of the net four minutes into that game.

Slow Start in 2012

Despite a slow start in the Month of March in 2012 (1-2-1), D.C. United bounced back in the Month of April to go undefeated (3-0-2) and ended up making the playoffs for the first time in five years.

Kansas City Drought

Before its 2-0 win over the Montreal Impact last week, Sporting Kansas City was carrying an almost 200-minute goal-scoring drought, the fifth-longest stretch in MLS 2013.

Strike Success vs. Sporting Kansas City

D.C. United has tallied 61 goals all-time against Sporting Kansas City, only scoring more against the New York Red Bulls (116), New England Revolution (87), Columbus Crew (81) and Chicago Fire (62).

Off the Mark

Through five games of 2013, Sporting Kansas City has registered the second-lowest rate of shots on target (24.7% of total shots) in the League. Only the San Jose Earthquakes has hit a smaller percentage of its shots on target (24.2%).